Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Staci DeKunder.
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16
I like this verse because it reminds me that we do not have to make things too complicated. Jesus says that we should have the faith of a child.
A few years ago, I was teaching Sunday School to 3 and 4 year children. I was teaching the story of God providing manna from heaven for the Israelites. I asked the children to pretend to go to sleep in a “tent” made from a card table covered with a sheet. Then, I spread popcorn all over a sheet on the floor, and I asked them to wake up and see the “manna” that was provided for them.
They were thrilled to see the popcorn, as if it were a real miracle. They knew that I had placed the popcorn on the floor, but they did not complicate the story by pointing out all the flaws in my reenactment. I believe that they all left that day understanding that God will provide for their needs like he did for the Israelites, and they enjoyed the popcorn treat.
This experience reminded me that children develop faith without all the skepticism and questioning that adults might have. Sometimes, letting the children come to Jesus is as simple as telling them a Bible story with a little imagination and a bag of microwave popcorn. And then we can follow their example of faith and trust.
Let us pray: Dear Lord, Thank you for the wonderful blessing of children in our lives. Please help us to teach them about your love, and learn from them how to be joyful and faithful to you. Amen.
Daily Devotions 
February 25, 2015 at 8:57 pm |
A Men
February 26, 2015 at 11:52 pm |
Matthew 19:14 (Living Bible translation) Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Luke 18:17 “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”